Trusted sex discrimination attorneys serving the San Fernando Valley with over 42 years of combined legal experience.

If you’ve experienced sex discrimination at work in the San Fernando Valley, then you are dealing with something no employee should have to face. Being passed over for a promotion, paid less than a colleague, or pushed out of a job because of your sex is illegal under California and federal law. Our San Fernando Valley, CA sex discrimination lawyer fights for workers who’ve been treated unlawfully. At Goldberg Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation to listen to your story and advise further.

Sex Discrimination Lawyer San Fernando Valley, CA

What does a sex discrimination attorney do? We investigate what happened at your workplace, gather evidence, and build a case that holds your employer accountable for the offense.

Sex discrimination in the workplace covers a wide range of conduct. It’s not limited to outright termination, and may include pay gaps between employees doing the same job, denial of promotions based on gender, hostile work environments, and pregnancy-related adverse actions all fall under this area of law. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act provides some of the broadest protections in the country, extending beyond federal Title VII to cover smaller employers and a wider range of protected conduct.

Types of Sex Discrimination Cases We Handle in San Fernando Valley

Sex discrimination takes many forms. Some incidents may be obvious, while others are harder to identify without legal guidance. We handle a broad range of workplace discrimination claims throughout the San Fernando Valley.

  • Unequal pay and compensation. California law requires equal pay for substantially similar work. We pursue claims under California Equal Pay Act.
  • Failure to promote. Being passed over repeatedly for advancement while less-qualified employees of a different sex move up is a recognizable pattern in sex discrimination cases. We look at promotion histories, documented performance evaluations, and decision-maker communications to build the picture.
  • Pregnancy and family leave discrimination. Employers who penalize workers for pregnancy, childbirth, or taking legally protected parental leave may be liable under both the California Pregnancy Disability Leave law and the California Family Rights Act.
  • Sexual harassment. Harassment based on sex does not have to come from a boss. A coworker, a client, or a vendor,  the source matters less than the impact. When that conduct is severe or persistent enough to poison the work environment, it crosses into illegal territory under California law.
  • Wrongful termination based on sex. If you were fired because of your sex, your pregnancy, or your gender identity or expression, that termination may be unlawful. California law prohibits retaliation against employees who report discrimination or assert their rights.
  • Retaliation. Employers sometimes take adverse action against employees who file complaints, participate in investigations, or exercise their legal rights. Retaliation is a separate, actionable claim under California and federal law.
  • Gender stereotyping. Treating an employee differently because they don’t conform to expectations about how their sex should look, speak, or behave is a recognized form of sex discrimination under California law.

Sex Discrimination Infographic

5 Common Steps You Should Take Infographic

Why Choose Goldberg Injury Lawyers for Sex Discrimination in San Fernando Valley, CA?

A Litigation Background That Matters

Goldberg Injury Lawyers has been practicing in California since 1984. Founding Attorney Barry P. Goldberg earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and has tried numerous jury trials and handled hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. That courtroom background matters in employment discrimination cases. Insurers and employers take seriously a firm that is willing and prepared to litigate. We don’t just threaten to file, we actually know how to see a case through.

Barry has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Top 100 Southern California honoree and holds an AVVO 10 “Superb” rating. He served as President of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association in 2020 and has been an active member of the legal community in this region for decades.

Results That Matter

We know the local courts, the nearby legal community, and what it takes to move a case forward in Los Angeles County. Clients have described the experience of working with this firm as thorough, communicative, and genuinely caring. We offer free consultations, where you can learn more about your situation and what to do without any cost or obligation.

Understanding Sex Discrimination Cases

Important Aspects in Your Sex Discrimination Case

Building a sex discrimination claim requires more than knowing something wrong happened. The legal standard involves proving that sex was a motivating factor in the employer’s decision, and here are some important considerations:

  • Document everything. Emails, performance reviews, pay stubs, and any written communications from your employer are critical. If you haven’t already, start saving copies.
  • Report internally when required. Many claims require that you report discrimination through your employer’s internal complaint process before pursuing an external claim. An attorney can advise you on when and how to do this.
  • Be aware of deadlines. Under FEHA, you typically have three years from the discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. If you miss that window, it can bar your claim entirely.
  • Retaliation can compound your case. If your employer takes adverse action after you complain, that retaliation is a separate and additional legal violation.
  • Your employer’s justification matters. Employers will almost always offer a non-discriminatory reason for their actions. The question is whether that reason holds up or whether the real motive was sex-based.

Sex Discrimination Case Timeline

The timeline in a discrimination case depends on whether you pursue an administrative complaint, a civil lawsuit, or both. In general:

  • Incident occurs. Document the event with dates, witnesses, and specifics.
  • Internal complaint. Report through HR or a designated complaint process if required, and if safe to do so.
  • CRD complaint. File with the California Civil Rights Department, which may investigate or issue a right-to-sue notice.
  • Right-to-sue letter. Once issued, you have one year to file a civil lawsuit in California court.
  • Litigation phase. Discovery, depositions, potential mediation, and trial if the case does not settle.

Cases settle at various points in this process. Some resolve during or after the administrative phase, while others proceed to trial.

What to Bring to Your Sex Discrimination Consultation

The more information you have available, the more useful your initial consultation will be. But don’t worry if you don’t have everything we need. We can gather additional information and evidence. Here are suggestions on what to bring to your consultation with us:

  • Any written communications from your employer referencing your sex, gender, or pregnancy
  • Pay stubs or documentation of compensation discrepancies
  • Performance reviews, promotion denials, or disciplinary records
  • A written timeline of incidents with dates and names of witnesses
  • Any HR complaint filings or responses you have received

Our initial consultation is free, where we can review the information you have, explain your options, and tell you whether we believe you have a viable claim.

California Legal Resources for Sex Discrimination

If you’re dealing with sex discrimination in San Fernando Valley, CA, these resources can help you understand the applicable laws and your rights as an employee.

Reach Out to Goldberg Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation

If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly at work because of your sex in the San Fernando Valley, contact Goldberg Injury Lawyers today. Your consultation is free, where we review your situation and help you understand your options. Please reach out today if you are ready to reserve an appointment.